Helmet chin strap

ABSTRACT

First and second portions of a chin strap of a helmet are respectively connected to first and second engaging members of a buckle connector. The first engaging member includes a projecting portion and the second engaging member includes a pair of pivotal claws for engaging the first engaging member. A spring acts on the claws to urge the claws to an operative position in which the first engaging member is engaged by the claws. The first engaging member is guidably engaged by side walls on the second engaging member in the course of engagement and disengagement with the claws to restrict lateral movement of the first engaging member.

Aratani et al.

[ Feb. 5, 1974 1 HELMET CHIN STRAP [75] Inventors: Norio Aratani,Kawasaki; Masaki Nakano, Niiza, both of Japan [73] Assignee: Honda GikenKogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokyo, Japan 22 Filed: Feb. 29, 1972 21 Appl.No.: 230,440

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Mar. 1, 1971 Japan 46-12052 [52]US. Cl 24/230 AT, 24/77 [51] Int. Cl A44b 11/26 [58] Field ofSearch...24/23O AT, 230 AV, 230 A, 24/163 KC, 230 R; 297/385 [56]References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,665,143 1/1954 Rasmussen297/385 3,386,103 6/1968 Robinson 297/385 3,484,868 12/1969 Davenport2/2 3,710,391 1/1973 McGlynn 2/2 Primary ExaminerBemard A. GelakAttorney, Agent, or FirmEric H. Waters et al.

[ 5 7 ABSTRACT First and second portions of a chin strap of a helmet arerespectively connected to first and second engaging members of a buckleconnector. The first engaging member includes a projecting portion andthe second engaging member includes a pair of pivotal claws for engagingthe first engaging member. A spring acts on the claws to urge the clawsto an operative position in which the first engaging member is engagedby the claws. The first engaging member is guidably engaged by sidewalls on the second engaging member in the course of engagement anddisengagement with the claws to restrict lateral movement of the firstengaging member.

4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures Patented Feb. 5, 1974 2 Sheets-Sheet l .EEJI L Patented Feb. 5, 1974 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 HELMET CHIN STRAP BRIEFSUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to apparatus for theengagement and disengagement of a chin strap of a helmet for amotorcycle user.

An object of the invention is to provide such apparatus which is easilyreleased and engaged and which provides reliable connection in use.

According to the invention, there is provided apparatus for engagingfirst and second portions of a chin strap respectively connected to ahelmet, said apparatus comprising first and second engaging membersrespectively attached to the first and second portions of the chinstrap, said first engaging member including a projecting portion andsaid second engaging member including a pair of pivotal claws forengaging the first engaging member, spring means urging the claws to anoperative position in which the first engaging member is engaged, andmeans for guiding the first engaging member during engagement anddisengagement with the claws and positioned to restrict lateral movementof the first engaging member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a front view, partly brokenaway and in section, of a helmet and chin strap according to thisinventIon;

FIG. 2 is a front view on enlarged scale of a buckle portion of the chinstrap in disengaged condition,

FIG. 3 is a front view, partly broken away of the buckle portion inengaged condition.

FIG. 4 is'a sectional view taken along line IV IV in FIG. 3,

FIG. 5 is a front view, on enlarged scale and partly in section, of amodified buckle portion of in disengaged condition, and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line VI VI in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to the drawing, therein is seen in FIG. 1a helmet l for a motorcycle or the like with a chin strap 2. The chinstrap comprises one portion extending from one side edge portion of thehelmet l and inserted in and engaged with a square buckling ring 3having an arrowhead-shaped engaging member 4 projecting from bucklingring 3. A second portion of the chin strap extends from the other sideedge portion of the helmet l and is engaged with an engaging member 8having a pair of left and right engaging claws 6, urged inwards by aspring 5 for being engaged with engaging member 4, and a pair of leftand right side walls 7 for restricting lateral movement of the engagingmember 4. The engageable and disengageable members on the ends of thetwo strap portions constitute a buckle for selective connection anddisconnection of the strap.

The buckling ring 3 comprises a square frame 3a, and a movable rod 3b isslidable along the left and right side edges of the frame 3a so that thefront end portion of the chin strap 2 is inserted therethrough andengaged therewith in such a manner that the strap is looped on themovable rod 3b and folded back, so that fastening of the strap can beregulated to a proper length. The engaging member 8 is in the form of aflat sleeve comprising front and rear plates 8a, facing each other witha slight space therebetween and interconnected by center, left and rightrivets 8b. The right and left rivets 8b pivotally support the engagingclaws 6, and the center rivet 8b supports the middle portion of thespring 5 which is wound there round. The front and rear plates 8a, eachhas an edge 8c at its rear end and edges 8d at both sides at its frontend. The opposite edges 8d of each of the adjacent plates 8a defines aspace therebetween for receiving the square frame 3a with slight play.

According to this invention, the chin strap 2 can be brought into itsoperative condition simply by pushing the front end engaging member 4between the engaging claws 6, and the chin strap 2 can be disengagedsimply by pushing the engaging claws 6, to open position against theaction of spring 5 releasing the engagement of the engaging member 8with the engaging member 4. Then the helmet can be put on and taken offwith ease and the desired effective length of the chin strap 2 can beadjusted at will by utilizing the square buckling ring 3. The plates 8aare formed with recesses as seen in FIG. 1 so that lateral edges of theclaws 6 are accessible for being displaced in unison towards one anotherto release member 4. Since, the engagement between the engaging member 8and the engaging member 4 is effected by the pair of left and rightclaws 6, even if one of the claws 6, is disengaged by accident, theother of the claws 6, maintains the engagement and thus unfavorablerelease is prevented. Moreover, the lateral movement of the engagingmember 4 is restricted by the side walls 7, so that the engagement ofmember 4 with the engaging member 8 is kept stable and reliable.

According to the modification as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the engagingmember 8 is in the form of a substantially flat sleeve provided at itsouter peripheral surface with a coating 9 of elastic material such asspongy rubber or the like. In this arrangement, such a disadvantage isprevented that, in use, a metallic part of the buckle can come directlyin contact with the face of the user. Thus any unpleasant feeling can beavoided and also any possible injury to the face can be prevented.Additionally the coating 9 serves as a slippreventing member at the timeof engaging and disengaging the buckle and thus these operations arefacilitated.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for engaging first and second portions of a chin straprespectively connected to a helmet, said apparatus comprising first andsecond engaging members respectively attached to the first and secondportions of the chin strap, said first engaging member including aprojecting portion and said second engaging member including a pair ofpivotal claws for engaging the first engaging member, spring meansurging the claws to an operative position in which the first engagingmember is engaged, means for guiding the first engaging member duringengagement and disengagement with the claws and positioned to restrictlateral movement of the first engaging member, and an elastic cover onsaid second engaging member, said first engaging member including aportion of arrowhead shape, said second engaging member comprising apair of adjacent plates, and pivots connecting said claws to saidplates, said plates being provided with recesses in which said claws areengageable for releasing and engaging the first engageable member, saidelastic cover completely enclosing said plates but leaving said recessesopen to allow engagement of said claws, said claws being slightlyrecessed below the outer surface contour of the elastic cover.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said plates have sidesurfaces for laterally engaging the first engageable member andconstituting the guiding means.

is integral with said portion of arrowhead shape.

1. Apparatus for engaging first and second portions of a chin straprespectively connected to a helmet, said apparatus comprising first andsecond engaging members respectively attached to the first and secondportions of the chin strap, said first engaging member including aprojecting portion and said second engaging member including a pair ofpivotal claws for engaging the first engaging member, spring meansurging the claws to an operative position in which the first engagingmember is engaged, means for guiding the first engaging member duringengagement and disengagement with the claws and positioned to restrictlateral movement of the first engaging member, and an elastic cover onsaid second engaging member, said first engaging member including aportion of arrowhead shape, said second engaging member comprising apair of adjacent plates, and pivots connecting said claws to saidplates, said plates being provided with recesses in which said claws areengageable for releasing and engaging the first engageable member, saidelastic cover completely enclosing said plates but leaving said recessesopen to allow engagement of said claws, said claws being slightlyrecessed below the outer surface contour of the elastic cover. 2.Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said pLates have side surfacesfor laterally engaging the first engageable member and constituting theguiding means.
 3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the firstengaging member comprises a ring in which the first portion of the chinstrap is adjustably engaged.
 4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 whereinsaid ring is integral with said portion of arrowhead shape.